County/In Brief

February 20, 2014

About 450 customers in parts of Paia lost power early Wednesday morning after a car sheared a utility pole guy wire, Maui Electric Co. reported.

The wire became entangled in the electrical lines, said Kau'i Awai-Dickson, MECO spokeswoman.

The power went off at about 2 a.m.; the lines were cleared and power brought back on line at about 3:15 a.m., she said.

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Access road to Molokai state reserve reopens after closure

The road that allows vehicular access to the Molokai State Forest Reserve was reopened Wednesday after being closed for two weeks due to unsafe road conditions caused by heavy rains.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources reopened Maunahui access road from the hunter's check station to the Makakupaia gate around 3:30 p.m, according to a news release Wednesday.

The road had been closed since Feb. 4 due to unsafe road conditions caused by heavy rains, the news release said. Forest-use activities, such as hiking and hunting, still were permitted during the closure.

During the closure, the department's Division of Forestry and Wildlife used heavy equipment to remove debris and to resurface the road where needed.

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Woman charged with assault after allegedly kicking officers

A homeless woman head-butted and kicked police officers Sunday night, while being arrested on a bench warrant near Front Street in Lahaina, police said.

Jolene Witt, 37, was charged with two counts of bail jumping, two counts of second-degree theft, contempt of court, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and second-degree negligent injury. She also was charged with two counts of assault against police officers and resisting arrest.

Her bail was set at $62,450.

The incident with police occurred around 11:23 p.m. when officers requested information about Witt, who was standing under the Banyan Tree near Front Street, police said. Officers discovered that Witt had four active bench warrants for her arrest, but when they attempted to handcuff her, she fled.

Witt repeatedly ran away from police officers and later kicked one officer in the leg and lower lip before she was forced to the ground, police said. When Witt was escorted to police cars, she head-butted another officer.

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Food Technology Center set to host first free expo Wednesday

The nonprofit Maui Food Technology Center will hold its first free Supply and Service Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani.

The expo will include information for new or existing food producers wanting assistance with developing a product and getting it to the marketplace.

It also will offer consumers interested in attending the trade show a chance to hear the latest from experts in the food manufacturing, distribution and hospitality industries.

There also will be presentations throughout the event, including discussions on food safety, developing local products, using social media and networking.

For more information on becoming an exhibitor or attending the expo, see www.mauifoodtechnology.org or call (888) 948-6382. Advance registration is requested but not required.